With the start of school just around the corner, I wanted to remind you to take advantage of the upcoming “Tax Free Week” which runs from Sunday, August 19 through Saturday, August 25.

This one-week event eliminates Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $100 per item.

Additionally, new and used college textbooks are exempt from the state 6.35% sales tax for students who present a valid college ID at the time of purchase.

Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price per item is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes. Clothing or footwear under $100 put on layaway is also tax-free.

Tax Free Week was first enacted in 2000, and applies to most clothing and footwear purchases intended for everyday use.

Goods not covered under the program include, but are not limited to:

• Clothing or footwear specifically designed for athletic activities: football cleats, specialty boots for fishing, hiking, skiing and other activities, as well as wet suits, helmets and headbands, etc.
• Accessories: jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, etc.

Please consult with your local retailer, or contact the Department of Revenue Services for a list of qualifying and non-qualifying items.

I encourage you to contact me regarding any state or local concerns at 800-842-1423 or Devin.Carney@housegop.ct.gov.

Sincerely,

OLD SAYBROOK—State Representative Devin Carney will hold a coffee hour event at the Estuary Council of Seniors, located at 220 Main Street in Old Saybrook on Monday, August 6, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

This session will provide constituents with an opportunity to ask questions or share their ideas and concerns about state government.

For more information please contact Carney’s office at 800-842-1423 or by email at devin.carney@housegop.ct.gov.

Last year, Connecticut’s General Assembly passed a bipartisan bill that offers the potential of lowering electricity costs for Connecticut’s ratepayers. The bill authorized energy regulators to conduct a competitive auction for carbon-free resources if they determined it was necessary.  The bill created a path forward for Connecticut to meet its energy, environmental and economic goals.  Importantly, the bill also would potentially protect Millstone Power Station, the source of 50% of the state’s power and 90% of its carbon free electricity and 1500 jobs, by allowing it to compete in the competitive auction too.

Unfortunately, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is charting a different course than the legislation directed.  The legislature directed DEEP to conduct a competitive auction for zero carbon electricity and to allow Millstone to participate, if regulators determined that it was necessary. They made the determination in February that it was necessary.

Now, after beginning the process, DEEP is unilaterally changing the legislative intent of the law by inserting language into the draft Request for Proposals that would essentially exclude Millstone’s offer from being considered until June 1, 2023.  They do so by creating a new term and definition, “at risk time period” that does not exist in the statute. DEEP must eliminate this definition in the final Request for Proposals in order to be in compliance with the legislative intent of the law.  Otherwise, DEEP will be usurping the legislative authority from the women and men elected to represent the people of this state.

Dominion Energy, the owner and operator of Millstone Power Station, acted in good faith throughout the entire legislative process. It has responded to all legislative and regulatory requests, including voluntarily providing its proprietary and independently audited financial data. If Millstone is the winning bidder in the competitive auction, its contract has to take effect now and not in 2023.  That is what the legislature intended by passing and enacting Public Act No. 17-3.

What’s more, Dominion Energy is facing an important decision now about investing more than 700 million dollars into Millstone Power Station to maintain exemplary operations. Neither Dominion Energy, nor the workers at Millstone Power Station, nor the ratepayers, nor Connecticut can afford the delayed implementation of the auction to 2023.

A premature retirement of Millstone will certainly result in higher electricity costs for Connecticut’s ratepayers, the loss of thousands of jobs, thirty million in local taxes, 1.5 billion to the state economy and the inability of the state to meet its clean air goals. The adverse economic and environmental ramifications cannot be overemphasized.

The debate over the future of Millstone has been settled by the legislature.  It is the job of Connecticut’s energy regulators to follow the legislature’s will. The Southeastern delegation cannot overstate the urgency and necessity for them to comply with the legislative intent of Public Act 17-3.

We urge DEEP to amend its draft RFP, eliminate the language regarding the 2023 start date and comply with the law enacted.

Sincerely,

Rep. Kathleen McCarty (R-38)

Rep. Holly Cheeseman (R-37)

Rep. Mike France (R-42)

Rep. Devin Carney (R-23)

Rep. Christine Conley (D-40)

Sen. Heather Somers (R-18)

Rep. Chris Soto (D-39)

Rep. Emmett Riley (D-46)

Rep. Kevin Ryan (D-139)

Rep. Linda Orange (D-48)

Rep. Melissa Ziobron (R-34)

Rep. Doug Dubitsky (R-47)

Sen. Paul Formica(R-20)

Rep. Kevin Skulczyck (R-45)

Sen. Cathy Osten (D-19)

Rep. De La Cruz (D-41)

State Representatives Melissa Ziobron (R-34), Devin Carney (R-23) and Robert Siegrist (R-36) hosted an informational forum on Lyme Disease with Elena Zajac from Lyme Connection.

Elena shared her and her family’s experiences with Lyme Disease and practical steps to prevent exposure to tick-borne illness.

“As summer gets underway and we spend more time enjoying the outdoors it’s important to be aware ticks are out too. There are many things that we can do to protect ourselves and our families from tick-borne illnesses,” said Rep. Ziobron. “Elena and Lyme Connection do fantastic work raising awareness, I hope people will reach out to her and spread this information widely.”

“Due to the high rates of tick-borne diseases in our area, it is important for people to know prevention methods and how to spot symptoms,” said Rep. Carney. “As someone who was diagnosed with Lyme disease, I know first-hand how debilitating the disease can be and I had it treated early. So, if you think you might have Lyme or another tick-borne disease, try to get to your doctor immediately before symptoms get worse.”

“I am grateful for the work that Lyme Connection does to educate individuals regarding the serious health threat associated with Lyme disease,” added Rep. Siegrist. “Despite the efforts of organizations like these, it is crucial that we still work to spread awareness and educate our communities.”

The BLAST Tick-borne Prevention Program was developed in 2008 by the Ridgefield, CT Public Health Department, BLAST stands for: Bathe after outdoor activity, Look for Ticks and rashes, Apply repellent, Spray the yard and Treat pets.

More information can be found online at www.lymeconnection.org, Lyme Connection is available to host informational forums for a variety of groups and can be reached at info@lymeconnection.org.

State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) earned a perfect voting record during the 2018 legislative session. There were 317 votes taken this year according to information released by the House Clerk’s office.

“I have always made it a priority to be present for every vote,” said Rep. Carney. “In my opinion, the most important part of my job is to ensure the people of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook are heard on each and every piece of legislation that comes before the General Assembly. I am proud to have achieved this distinction for the district for the fourth year in a row.”

Representative Carney currently serves as ranking member of the Transportation Committee, and is on the Environment Committee and the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

For an overview of important legislation addressed in the 2018 legislative session visit the Office of Legislative Research website: www.cga.ct.gov/olr.

Anyone with questions, ideas or concerns about state-related issues can contact Representative Carney’s office at Devin.Carney@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-8700.

State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) joined members of the General Assembly’s House and Senate chambers on Monday, June 25^th for a veto session to overturn Governor Malloy’s veto of seven bills. In order to override a governor’s veto, two-thirds of the members present must vote to do so. Since five of the seven bills were Senate bills and the Senate failed to override any of those five, not all had the opportunity to reach the House chamber.

Governor Malloy vetoed several important pieces of legislation which would have benefitted taxpayers, local education, and manufacturing jobs,” Rep. Carney said. “All of these bills passed with strong support from legislators on both sides of the aisle, so it boggles the mind as to why the Democrats in the State Senate refused to override some of the governor’s more outrageous vetoes. With their lack of courage, it is clear that many of these senators care more about being in the governor’s favor than supporting hardworking taxpayers and small businesses in the State of Connecticut.”

Following the passage of the compromise budget in October, Governor Malloy used an executive order to cut funding mid-year to several towns across the state. P.A. 18-35, had the veto been overridden, would have prohibited future governors from making rescissions to a school board’s education cost sharing grant during the fiscal year. Towns have asked for more predictability and sustainability from the legislature, which resulted in this bill.

Despite the bill’s unanimous passage in the Senate on May 9^th and overwhelming support in the House, 117-32, the governor vetoed P.A. 18-35 earlier this month. While every Republican in the House and Senate voted in favor of the override, ten Senate Democrats changed their position during the veto session, effectively killing the bill. Those senators voting against the override included Eastern Connecticut State Senator Cathy Osten, who actually co-sponsored the legislation.  Manchester State Senator Steve Cassano, who also co-sponsored the bill, decided to skip that particular vote despite being present for all other votes that day; no reason was given.

Another bill vetoed by the governor was S.B. 528, An Act Concerning State Contract Assistance Provided To Certain Municipalities, which corrected the improper financial bailout of Hartford. This legislation aimed to limit the bailout and reduce the backroom deal Governor Malloy signed with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. S.B. 528 originally passed the House 105-45 and Senate 28-6, enough votes to easily override any veto if legislators voted the same during the veto session. Unfortunately, only one of the Senate Democrats voted to override the veto, despite every one of them supporting the bill initially. In this past fiscal year, Hartford was given $420,446,241 in taxpayer money, not including the monies given to non-profits in Hartford.

S.B. 261, An Act Extending the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Tax Credit to Pass-Through Entities, would allow pass-through companies – those set up as S corporations or limited liability companies (LLCs) that pass business profits to the owner and are taxed at his or her individual rate –  to utilize the apprenticeship tax credit when filing personal income taxes. The manufacturing apprenticeship credit is equivalent to the lesser of $6 per hour, $7,500, or 50 percent of the actual apprenticeship wages for each apprentice employed by a given company, and expires on a schedule determined by the length of the apprenticeship. The tax credit is currently available to C Corporations. This legislation passed the Senate unanimously, but 13 Senate Democrats changed their mind and refused to override the governor’s veto.

A recent survey of 48 local businesses on behalf of the Connecticut Association of Smaller Manufacturers (CASM) showed that 85 percent of Connecticut’s small manufacturing businesses are organized as S-corporations or LLCs. Further, 65 percent of respondents said the tax credit would allow them to hire between 1-3 new employees, and 15 percent said they could hire more than 4 new employees. This failure to override means approximately 121 new jobs will not be created.

State Representatives Jesse MacLachlan (R-35) and Devin Carney (R-23) held a sit down legislative update with Westbrook residents who had questions about this years’ shortened session.

Residents asked various questions about how the recent special veto session effects municipal and educational funding, school safety, and future obligations made by Governor Malloy to bailing out the capitol city.

Earlier this week, lawmakers met to override vetoes made to seven different pieces of legislation by Governor Malloy. Despite all of the bills receiving more than favorable votes in each chamber, none of the legislation vetoed by the governor was overridden.

“Meeting with constituents and listening to their concerns is an integral part of my role as a state representative,” Rep. MacLachlan said. “I enjoyed being able to sit down face-to-face with Westbrook residents and talk about the bipartisan state budget and all that it does to protect our small towns.”

“I am always grateful for the opportunity to meet with constituents. These conversations about local and state matters help me to fully understand the concerns and the issues impacting those I represent at the Capitol in Hartford,” said Rep. Carney. “Hearing from constituents is a strong priority of mine, which is why my door is always open.”

Rep. Carney, who serves as Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, provided an update about tolls and discussed findings from a study conducted by the Department of Transportation.

The lawmakers are expected to host similar updates throughout their districts over the remaining Summer months.

State Senator Paul Formica and I will hold a coffee hour meeting in Old Saybrook THIS FRIDAY, June 22, 2018 from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. at the Dunkin’ Donuts located at 1635 Boston Post Road.

We will discuss the 2018 legislative session and answer questions about top state issues from local residents. The event is free and open to the public.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

State Representative Jesse MacLachlan and I will also host a post-session office hour in Westbrook.

Our office hour will be held on Tuesday, June 26th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Westbrook Town Hall, located at 866 Post Road.

I hope that you will join us as we discuss some of the issues that helped shape the 2018 Legislative Session.

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I will also be co-hosting an informational forum presented by the BLAST Tick-borne Prevention Program to address Lyme Disease prevention.

The forum will take place on Wednesday, June 27th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the East Haddam Grange Hall, 488 Town Street, East Haddam.

The event is open to the public and no registration is required.

As always if you need help working with your government or have questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to my office 860-240-8700 or Devin.Carney@housegop.ct.gov.  ​

Sincerely,

Many significant pieces of legislation were debated and passed by the General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session, which adjourned on May 9th.

To help keep you informed about this legislation, the non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) has released summaries of the “2018 Major Public Acts”. To view the report, please click here.

This report is by no means exhaustive, and does not cover every piece of legislation passed, but mentions those that OLR believes are of greatest interest. The summaries are intended to be brief; OLR will release much more detailed summaries of all public acts later this summer.

If you would like to discuss these or any other issues that came before the legislature this session, please do not hesitate to contact me.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

I’d like to invite you to join Senator Paul Formica and me on Saturday, June 16, at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, located at 2 Library Lane in Old Lyme from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome, and I hope to see you there.

Many thanks to everyone who provided feedback to me during the session—I am always happy to hear from you.

As always, if you have questions or concerns about state government, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience at: 1-800-842-1423 or devin.carney@housegop.ct.gov.

Best Regards,

OLD LYME—State Representative Devin Carney and State Senator Paul Formica will hold office hours at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, located at 2 Library Lane in Old Lyme on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This session will provide constituents with an opportunity to ask questions or share their ideas and concerns about state government, the state budget as well as the 2018 Legislative Session, which concluded in May.

For more information please contact Carney’s office at 800-842-1423 or by email at devin.carney@housegop.ct.gov and Formica at 860-842-1421 or by email at Paul.Formica@cga.ct.gov.